Part 3

Infidelity of Voltaire 2 1694. Birth of François-Marie Arouet at Chatenay 4 His Father, M. Arouet, a Notary 4 1704. Ætat. 10. Is taught by the Jesuits in the College of Louis-le-Grand 5 His Prejudice against the Jansenists 5 The Abbé de Chateauneuf 5 Precocious Genius of Arouet 5 His introduction to Parisian Society 6 Court of Louis XIV. 6 The King ruled by Molinist Confessors 6 Influence of Madame de Maintenon in religious Matters 6 1714. Ætat. 20. Young Arouet sent to Holland with the Marquis de Chateauneuf 7 His Affection for Mademoiselle du Noyer 8 He is placed as pupil with M. Alain, Attorney in Paris 9 M. de Caumartin invites him to his Château of St. Ange 10 1715. State of public Affairs on the Demise of Louis XIV. 10 The Regent d'Orléans, and Cardinal Dubois 10 1716. Ætat. 22. Arouet imprisoned in the Bastille for a Satire of which he was not the Author 11 On Epic Poetry 12 Criticism on the Henriade of Voltaire 13 Duke of Orléans liberates and compensates him 14 1718. Ætat. 24. "Œdipe," Tragedy by Voltaire 15 His Critique on the Tragedies of Sophocles 15 His mode of Life and Habits 16 His "Mariamne" successful 16 1722. Dispute between the Poets Jean Baptiste Rousseau and Voltaire 17 Insult offered Voltaire by the Chevalier de Rohan 17 He challenges de Rohan, and is sent to the Bastille 18 1728. Ætat. 34. He visits England and reads Locke and Newton 18 His return to Paris 19 The Clergy become suspicious of him, and aim at his Ruin 19 Increase of his Fortune 20 Reasons of his purchasing the Estate of Voltaire, and assuming that name 21 Becomes attached to the Marchioness du Châtelet 21 His "Brutus" and "Eriphyle" unsuccessful 22 1732. Ætat. 38. Great success of "Zaire" 22 "Histoire de Charles XII." 23 "Siècle de Louis XIV." projected by Voltaire 23 Mademoiselle Lecouvreur, an Actress, denied the Rites of Sepulture 23 Voltaire's "Lettres sur les Anglais" publicly burnt 23 He retires to the Château de Cirey with the Marquis and Marchioness du Châtelet 24 Their philosophical Studies 25 He writes "Alzire," "Mérope," "Mahomet," &c. 25 "Essay on the Manners and Spirit of Nations" 25 Madame de Graffigny's Visit to Madame du Châtelet at Cirey; her Letters 26 1738. Ætat. 44. Voltaire writes "La Pucelle," the Maid of Orléans 28 Is attacked by the Abbé des Fontaines and Jean Baptiste Rousseau 31 Alarm as to the Printing of "La Pucelle" 33 His Correspondence with Frederic II. 35 1740. Letters of Frederic 37 Interview of the King of Prussia and M. de Voltaire at the Castle of Meuse, near Clèves 39 Maupertuis President of the Berlin Academy 39 Frederic's former Work against the Principles of Machiavel, the "Anti-Machiavel" 40 Character of Frederic 41 1742. War against Maria Theresa, on the Death of Charles VI. her Father 42 Administration of Cardinal de Fleuri 42 Voltaire in constant Danger of the Bastille 43 Crébillon refuses to license "Mahomet" 43 It is acted at Lille in Flanders by La Noue and Mademoiselle Clairon 44 1743. The Duke of Richelieu, a Favourite of Louis XV. 44 Ætat. 49. Voltaire endeavours to obtain a Seat in the French Academy, but is rejected 45 Great Success of his Tragedy of "Mérope" 45 He is sent on a Mission to Berlin, and a Treaty between Prussia and France is the result 46 Frederic invades Bohemia 47 Voltaire is left unrewarded 47 He resides in Paris with the Marquis and Marchioness du Châtelet 47 His Visit to the Duchess du Maine at Sceaux, when he writes "Zadig," and other Tales 48 He performs the Part of "Cicero" in his Play of "Rome Sauvée" 48 M. Longchamp's Account of Voltaire's Journeys, and his Visit to King Stanislas at Luneville 48, 51 1748. Ætat. 54. Tragedy of "Semiramis" 49 Voltaire dangerously ill of Fever at Chalons 50 His Friendship for Madame du Châtelet 51 His Rapidity in Writing, and literary Enthusiasm 51 His "Catiline" and "Elèctre" 51 Death of the Marchioness du Châtelet 52 Voltaire become sole Tenant of their Hôtel in Paris, appoints his Niece, Madame Denis, to preside over it 53 Private Theatre in his House 53 He patronises Le Kain, the Tragedian 54 His Admiration of Corneille and Racine 55 Madame de Pompadour for a Time patronises M. de Voltaire 55 Louis XV. appoints him a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, and Historiographer of France 56 Voltaire becomes a French Academician 56 Crébillon a successful Rival of Voltaire in dramatic Composition, and Court-favour 57 Voltaire, jealous on that Account, repairs to the Court of Frederic at Potsdam 57 Is pensioned by him, and appointed Chamberlain 58 Frederic's Admiration and Kindness 58 Voltaire's Admiration of the Prussian Monarch 59 Madame Denis left in Paris 60 Ætat. 57. His "Siècle de Louis Quatorze" 60 Umbrage and Jealousies of the King and Poet 61 1751. Offence given by M. de Voltaire to Frederic 63 Maupertuis and the Berlin Academy; Contest respecting the mechanical Principle of the "least Power" 65 La Beaumette and Maupertuis attack M. de Voltaire 66 Voltaire's Satire of "Akakia" against Maupertuis 66 His Reconciliation with Frederic the Great 67 Their mutual Dissatisfaction renewed, and Voltaire takes leave of the Prussian Court 67 He repairs to Leipsic and Saxe Gotha 68 Is arrested at Francfort by Agents of Frederic 69 Voltaire slighted at Lyons by Cardinal du Tencin 71 1755. Ætat. 61. He purchases the Estate of "Les Délices" at Geneva 72 1756. Renews a literary Correspondence with Frederic 73 Despair of that Monarch on a Defeat 73 Fresh Victories of Frederic 74 M. de Voltaire's "Manners and Spirit of Nations" 74 The Publication of "La Pucelle" occasions a against the Poet 75 His Residence in the Genevese Territory becomes perilous 76 1762. Ætat. 68. He purchases the Château de Ferney on the Frontier of France and Geneva, as a Residence affording him Security 76 The "Encyclopédie" 77 A great niece of Corneille received by Voltaire and Madame Denis at Ferney 79 Arrival of the Family of Calas at Ferney 79 1765. Ætat. 71. Voltaire obtains the Reversal of the Condemnation of Jean Calas, and the Restoration of his Family to civil Rights 81 His Exertions in Favour of the Sirven Family 83 Execution of the Chevalier de la Barre at Abbeville, and Indignation of Voltaire at the Spirit of religious Persecution 84 The Jesuits banished from France 87 Persecution of Jansenists and Quietists 87 Bitter Quarrel and Satire between M. de Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau 88 Security and happy Life of Voltaire at Ferney 88 1766. Ætat. 72. He is deserted at Ferney by his Niece and former Inmates 89 His Letters to the Marquise du Deffand 89 Return of Madame Denis to Voltaire at Ferney 90 Marmontel's Visit to him 91 The Countess de Genlis' Visit to Voltaire 94 Voltaire neglects the Count de Guibert and other Visitors 98 His Improvements in his Village of Ferney 98 His Humanity to Exiles, and charitable Character 99 He founds the Town of Versoi 100 Patronises the Town of Gex, and procures the Enfranchisement of Serfs of the Jura Mountains 100 Disgraceful Close of the Reign of Louis XV. 101 1788. Ætat. 81. After the Accession of Louis XVI. Voltaire, accompanied by his Niece and M. and Madame de Villette, arrives in Paris 102 His Tragedy of "Irene" 102 Condorcet's and Baron de Grimm's Description of his honourable Reception by the Parisians, with whom he had always been a Favourite 103 Louis XVI. 104 The Clergy endeavour to obtain from M. de Voltaire, in Sickness, a Declaration of his Faith 104 On a temporary Recovery he attends the Academy and the Theatre, and is received enthusiastically 105 Is prevented from returning to Ferney by Madame Denis 105 1778. Death of M. de Voltaire 106 Delineation of his Character 107 His Infidelity, and Grossness, alluded to 108 Critique of his Works 109

ROUSSEAU.

1712-1778.

1712. Birth of Jean-Jacques Rousseau at Geneva 111 His Studies when a Boy 112 Placed under M. Lambercier, Minister of Bossey 113 Lives with a M. Bernard, Engineer 114 Is pupil to a Greffier 114 His love of Reading 115 He runs away from Geneva 115 Visits M. de Pontverre at Confignon in Savoy 116 The Countess de Warens, a Convert to the Romish Religion, is pensioned by the King of Sardinia, and resides at Annecy 117 Rousseau is recommended to the Hospital of Turin for the Conversion of Protestants 117 His Abjuration of the Calvinistic Creed 118 Is Footman to the Countess Vercelli 119 Also a domestic in a noble Family at Turin 120 Whom he quits on a roving Expedition to revisit Madame de Warens 120 1729. Ætat. 17. Kind reception of Jean-Jacques by that Lady 121 His Genius in Music 121 His Visit to Neufchâtel and Paris 122 1733. Ætat. 21. Madame de Warens recommends him to Employment in a Bureau at Chambery 122 1735. Ætat. 23. He is established at Chambery as Music-master 124 Madame de Warens removes to Les Charmettes, where Rousseau prosecutes his Studies with Ardour 125 The Confessions of Jean-Jacques with regard to this Period of his Career 126 Ill-health of Rousseau 126 His Method of Notation for Music 127 Rousseau's Spirit of Independence 128 1741. Ætat. 29. His Employments at Paris, where he is encouraged 128 1743. Ætat. 31. Appointed Secretary to M. de Montague, Ambassador at Venice 128 His Return to Paris 129 His Friends interest themselves for him 129 His Mistress Thérèse le Vasseur 130 Rousseau consigns their Children to the "Enfants trouvés" 131 Reflections on the Condition of Foundlings 131 Rousseau eventually a Victim to his lax Principles from the Destitution of all social Ties 132 1749. Ætat. 37. Visits M. Diderot, who was confined at Vincennes for a Pamphlet 133 Rousseau's celebrated Essay on the proposed Question, "Whether the Progress of the Arts and Sciences had tended to corrupt or ameliorate the condition of Men" 134 He renounces the Appointment of Cashier to a Farmer-general of the Taxes 135 Copies Music for a Subsistence 135 1750. Ætat. 38. Great Success of his "Devin du Village," an Opera 136 His Essay on "The Origin of Inequality among Men" 137 1754. Ætat. 42. He revisits Geneva 137 Poverty of Madame de Warens 137 Rousseau abjures the Romish Faith, and again embraces the Reformed Religion 137 Is invited to reside in Geneva, his native City 138 Madame d'Epinay 138 She establishes him at the Hermitage near Montmorenci, belonging to M. d'Epinay 138 Rousseau's "Les Institutions Politiques," and other literary employments 139 Writes "La Nouvelle Héloïse" 140 Rousseau's love for the Countess d'Houdetot 141 M. de Saint Lambert 141 Cause of the Coolness between J. J. Rousseau and MM. Diderot and Grimm 144 Treachery of M. Grimm 145 State of French Society under Louis XV. 147 1758. Ætat. 46. Rousseau removes from the Hermitage to Montmorenci 148 His Quarrel with Diderot 148 He writes against the Establishment of a Theatre at Geneva 149 Sentiments expressed in his "Confessions" 149 Marshal the Duke of Luxembourg and the Duchess of Luxembourg friendly to Rousseau 149 1760. Publication of "La Nouvelle Héloïse" 150 The "Emile," or Rousseau on Education 150 Some admirable Maxims of that celebrated Treatise 150 M. de Malesherbes 151 The "Confession of a Savoyard Vicar" 152 1762. Ætat. 50. It is condemned, and Rousseau warned by the Duchess of Luxembourg to make his escape 153 He arrives at Iverdun, but is exiled by the Council of Berne 154 Is received at Neufchâtel by the Governor, Marshal Lord Keith 154 His Study of Botany, and herborising Rambles 155 His Controversy with Geneva 156 Disturbances at Geneva 157 Rousseau's "Lettres écrites de la Montagne" 157 Rousseau quits Motiers through Fear of Assassination 157 Resides in the Island of St. Pierre, Lake of Bienne, but is expelled by the Council of Berne 158 His Dislike of Dependence prevents him from repairing to the Court of Frederic; Fictitious Letter in that King's Name by Horace Walpole 159 Hospitably entertained by the Prince de Conti 159 1766. Ætat. 54. He accompanies David Hume to England 160 Resides at Wotton in Derbyshire, writes there his "Confessions," receives a Pension from George III.; but his morbid Melancholy causes him to take some groundless Alarm and to fly to France 161 1767. Ætat. 55. Is protected by the Prince de Conti at the Château of Trie 162 1770. Ætat. 58. He is most kindly welcomed at Paris 163 His Readings of the "Confessions" in Society interrupted by the Minister of Police 164 Lives by copying Music 165 Prince de Ligne visits him, and offers him a Home 167 Countess de Genlis gives Testimony of his Benevolence of Heart and Modesty 167 The Abbé Bernardin de Saint Pierre gives a very favourable Description of Rousseau 167 Respect shown for Rousseau at the Theatre by the Parisians 168 His morbid Sensibility verging on Madness 169 1778. Ætat. 66. His Death at Ermenonville, and Rumour with relation to it 169 Inscription on his Tomb 170 Character of his "Confessions" 171 His Jealousy of literary Competitors 171 His Reveries; his Charity; Suspicion his characteristic 172 The "Emile" one of his most important Works 173 Criticism of his "Nouvelle Héloïse" 174 Eloquence, Tenderness, and Nature, in his Writings 174

CONDORCET.

1744-1794.